Moab is my home away from home. Our family vacation each year was traveling down to Southern Utah to soak up some sun and climb on some red rocks. This photo is circa 2003 with me and my sister! I can't count the number of times I have been to Arches and I never get sick of it. The only hike I have left to do is the Fiery Furnace, which requires a permit. I plan to do that before my 30th birthday...which is next year, OMG! This place will always hold a special place in my heart. The last time I was there I took four of my friends who had never been to Moab. A few years prior I had taken Chris, my husband; I don't know how I married someone who had never been to Moab! I will walk you through our last trip, because I think it is the best way for me to describe Arches to help guide you on what you should do.
The first hike you come across is Park Avenue. This is a great 2 mile hike that takes you down into the floor of the desert and allows you to gaze up at the huge towers. I use this as my warm-up hike to get my legs moving and blood flowing. You can usually bust this out in under an hour.
The next spot you come to is The Courthouse Towers viewpoint. This can be linked as an extension of the Park Avenue hike if you'd like. I have always found that other hikes are what I'd like to spend my time on, so I just view them from the viewpoint. After that you come across Balanced Rock, which is also right next to Cove Arch, Double Arch, and the Windows. Balanced Rock is a few steps away from the parking lot. These arches can also be viewed all within less than an hour. They are very close together and easily accessible.
From there you hit the Delicate Arch trailhead. This is an absolute must-do. It is what Utah is most known for and why most people come to Arches. I have the license plate with this arch on it, of course, I'm a desert girl. If you're a skiier/boarder, enjoy your snow, I'll escape down to Moab. This hike is only 3 miles long, but it is a steep incline to get to the top. This is why I like to warm-up a bit before I get to this hike. Once you get to the arch, you can spend plenty of time scrambling around on the rock and taking your photo under the arch or there is a secret place to climb up and get a different perspective like the photo below.
After that I like to stop by Sand Dune Arch and Skyline Arch for a quick lunch break. Sand Dune Arch takes no time at all and is one of my favorite places in the park. I usually hit it mid-afternoon, it offers a shaded area with a great cool-down area. Skyline Arch is a short hike from Sand Dune Arch that is about half a mile.
Usually, I would stop here. But Landscape Arch and Devil's Garden is just a short drive away and is a little bit longer of a hike, but if you are a trooper and can hike quickly you can easily do all of this in a day. It will take the majority of your day, but of course you will be stopping to take in how amazing these natural arches are. I can't say it enough, it is one of my favorite places in Utah.
What You Want to Know
Take Me There!
As you drive into Moab Arches is right across the road from a large sandhill. They have recently put in a traffic light to help with all of the visitors. I like to go when it is not primetime tourist season, which is fall and spring. You will turn left into the park and stop at the Arches National Park Visitor Center, from there you will head off. It is a one road park system so you will pull-off onto each of the hikes trailheads. They are clearly marked and easy to find.
How long is the hike?
Since I mentioned so many hikes, I am going to cheat and direct you to the National Parks Service list of Arches hikes. If you have questions about specific hikes comment below!
What Do I Wear?!
Depending on the time of year you go you will want to select a comfortable wardrobe. I like to go in the spring and fall when the weather isn't too hot. I usually wear a tank top and shorts to hike in. I have worn all kinds of shoes throughout the year, but my favorite have been my FiveTen Access shoes. They are so sticky on the slickrock and they allow me to feel more confident exploring the areas. Bring lots of water and wear lots of sunscreen. I have had so many burns throughout the years and desert sunburns are not forgiving.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs are not permitted on the trails.
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